Circulation
Circulation is through a bar-code on the back of the student's ID card. Each student will need to present
a current valid picture Union ID card (or if a WTC student, a current ID from a member institution and a WTC Borrowing Privilages Form) and set up an account in the library's computer system. (Note: Borrowing privilages are extended to other patrons of the library who are not part of the WTU community or from one of the WTC libraries on a limited basis and only with the express permission of the Library Director.) The Washington Theological Union library is a private, academic thelogical library and is not open to the general public. All items must be checked out by a staff person at the Circulation Desk in the Degheri Reading Room when leaving the library. Students may place holds on currently checked out books and a book may be recalled from another borrower. The library staff is available for help in locating titles, reference and research assistance, computer assistance, and help with other library related questions and concerns.
Collection Locations
General Collection
The main stack of the library collection is available for use and borrowing to all library patrons. This collection is located to the left of the Degheri Reading Room by stairs to the upper and lower levels and a portion of the collection is also found past the current periodicals on the right side of the Degheri Reading Room. Book locations and call numbers can be found by using the library computer system.
Reference Collection
These materials are found on the shelves in the Degheri Reading Room of the library. Reference materials, current and bound periodicals, and materials from the Academy of American Franciscan History are not available to be checked out and are restricted to library use only. Academy of American Franciscan History materials are not available for interlibrary loan requests.
Reserved Collection
This section of the library collection is dedicated to books and other materials set-aside by faculty for their scheduled courses. The Reserved Collection is located behind the Circulation Desk and must be checked out with a current student ID. These materials are only available for use in the library and must be returned to the Circulation Desk. Books in this collection can only be checked out for four(4) hours and cannot be checked out overnight.
Periodical Collection
This section contains the library's serial publications (magazines, scholarly journals, newspapers, newsletters, etc.). The current and bound periodical collections are to the right of the Degheri Reading Room. Current periodicals are in alphabetical order on the display shelves and the bound periodicals are on the library shelves in alphabetical order immediately adjacent to the current periodical area.
Vertical File Collection
A variety of smaller publications (booklets, pamphlets, brochures, etc.), deemed not large enough for the main collection, are maintained in file cabinets in the rear of the library adjacent to the Computer Lab/Classroom area. These materials are available for check out and can be accessed through the library's computer catalog.
Audio-Visual/Media Collection
This collection of videotapes and DVDs is in the Library Office and is available for checkout by the library's patrons. The materials in this collection cover a wide range of subjects including bible studies, ethics, liturgy, church history and other areas of religious studies. (For information about audio-visual equipment availability and how to borrow equipment, please click here.)
Catalog and Reference Service
There are a number of computers for public use in the library, four are in the Degheri Reading Room and six are in the rear of the library in the Computer Lab/Classroom area. The four computers in the Degheri Reading Room are equipped with the Library's Public Access Catalog (PAC) as well as a variety of databases, including the ATLA Religion Index, the Catholic Periodical and Literature Index, and several other theological and religion oriented databases. (See Other Links for more information). An additional computer (attached to a scanner) is also available for public use near the New Book display area just off the Degheri Reading Room.
Computer Center
The six computers in the rear of the library also access the library computer catalog and have MS-Word and other programs available for student use. All computers provide Internet and email access. Guidance and assistance to computer use and search routines is provided upon request to all library patrons.
Other Available Resources
Since the Union is a member of the Washington Theological Consortium (WTC), currently enrolled students are allowed to use and borrow materials from the Consortium libraries during the academic year (September to May). All WTC libraries require each student to present a current student ID card and a WTC Borrowing Privilages form from the student's home library in order to use the library. Information on borrowing privileges and the location of the member libraries can be found in the booklet, Washington Theological Consortium Libraries, which can be obtained at the library circulation desk, or on the WTC website: www.washtheocon.org.
Student Papers
Student papers authored by Union students for their degree requirements are bound and available for checkout. These materials are arranged according to type of degree and numerically in order as received by the library staff. The titles and authors can be found using the library computer catalog.